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15 hurt as cops open fire in Hyderabad

The police fired in the air to disperse a violent mob belonging to a particular community near the Charminar area of Hyderabad this afternoon.

At least 15 people were injured as a 500-strong mob went on the rampage, attacking passersby, shops and passing vehicles soon after coming out of a place of worship after a prayer meeting.

Some of the victims received stab injuries, while three policemen were injured in stone-throwing.

The rampaging mob soon moved into adjoining areas, attacking vehicles and passersby. A section of the crowd entered the Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation bus depot and damaged five buses. An APSRTC bus and a police vehicle were torched.

The police caned and fought pitched battles with the mob which then moved towards the Shalibanda and Moghulpura areas.

The mob was reportedly agitated over the release of a pamphlet which allegedly denigrated a particular community. The pamphlet, carrying the picture of a dancing god of another community and some symbols, had caused tension in the old city area during the last four days.

Home Minister A Madhav Reddy visited the injured at the Osmania hospital and later went round the affected area. The situation was tense but under control in Charminar, Shalibanda and Moghulpura areas, police sources said.

As tension prevailed, contingents of Rapid Action Froce were deployed and police pickets were posted at most places of worship in the old city area.

The RAF had last night staged a flag march.

The entire area looked like a "virtual battle-field", eyewitnesses said.

UNI

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